Microrobots for temperature control in regions of interest within the body

Microrobot for Temperature Control in Targeted Regions Within the Body

This technology is a mechanism that heats magnetic particles within an internally administered microrobot using an external alternating magnetic field. It utilizes light-emitting particles (quantum dots) that emit near-infrared light based on temperature, allowing for non-invasive, real-time feedback control of heating temperatures from outside the body.

Conventional hyperthermia treatments carry a high risk of damaging surrounding healthy cells due to overheating, as they cannot directly measure or control the temperature of the magnetic particles.

This technology features a microrobot composed of a polymer embedded with magnetic particles and temperature-dependent near-infrared-emitting quantum dots. An external measurement device detects the intensity of the emitted light, allowing for precise adjustment of the external magnetic field intensity via PID control. This can be applied to robotic gripping, precision measurement, and automated equipment, improving temperature control accuracy and preventing overheating and damage to healthy cells during medical treatment.

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Key Features:

• Light-emitting particles administered into the body to reach a target region, emitting light with intensity that varies according to temperature
• Configuration including magnetic particles whose temperature changes according to the intensity of an external magnetic field
• Structure characterized by the light-emitting particles being quantum dots and the emitted light being near-infrared
• Configuration where light passes through the skin to be emitted outside the body, with its intensity measured by an external measurement device

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This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT for the Intelligent Microrobot-based Body-on-a-Chip for Precision Medicine project.